Rim Reforestation Phase IV Reforestation and Release

The County of Tuolumne is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to conduct reforestation and release work related to the Master Stewardship Agreement the County has with the USDA, Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest on behalf of the Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions (YSS) Collaborative.

The County intends to select Contractors that meet the specifications of this Solicitation based on best value.

The Rim Reforestation project consists of planting trees and release that will be done according to the specifications and alternatives approved in the Rim Fire Restoration and Reforestation Record of Decisions (ROD). The work will be conducted on approximately 1,200 acres within the Rim Fire burn scar within Tuolumne County , not to exceed 350,000 seedlings planted . An additional 1,090 auxiliary acr es may be added under the same planting specifications, not to exceed 325,000 seedlings planted . Planting shall not exceed 675,000 seedlings. An estimated 1,200 to 2,290 acres will be planted from a combination of the 800 committed acres, the 753 potential acres and the 1,090 auxiliary acres , until seedlings are exhausted, depending on the changing, dropping, or adding of planting units based on plantability.

Planting and hand grubbing will occur between March 15th and May 30th, 2025. Herbicide application will commence no later than May 30th and end no later than June 30th, 2025. Manual Release (Hand Grubbing) will commence no later than May 30th and end no later than June 30th, 2025. The County reserves the right to prioritize the order in which units are treated. The County reserves the right to modify the scope of work, including the right to increase or decrease the quantity of any item or portion of the work, or to entirely delete any item or portion of any work, or to require extra work as deemed necessary or advisable by the Project Manager, the Forest Service, or Registered Professional Forester. Any such changes will not become effective until approved by the County.

In December 2018, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved a Master Stewardship Agreement with the USDA, Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest on behalf of the YSS Collaborative, giving the County authority over the next 10 years to work with the Forest Service to conduct landscape restoration activities on the Stanislaus National Forest within the boundaries of Tuolumne County. In July 2024, this agreement was extended an additional 10 years until 2038.

The Supplemental Project Agreements developed under the Master Stewardship Agreement are for the purpose of protecting, enhancing and restoring forest and watershed health and bringing economic opportunities to the local area. Tuolumne County is using the collaborative group YSS and its sub-partners inside YSS to assist with Forest Health Projects.

Tuolumne River Trust has been sub-contracted by the County for program administration and project management. Tuolumne River Trust will supervise Contractors and oversee the work being done on the projects issued to any Contractor.